The funnyman, 45, effectively played it for laughs Thursday at a fundraiser, held at a private home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., for a UCLA program specializing in early autism intervention.

McCarthy, 34, is a highly vocal advocate working with her 5-year-old son, Evan, in his struggle with autism.

In his formal remarks at the fundraiser, Dr. David Feinberg, chief executive officer of the UCLA Hospital System, referred to the actress as "my hero" and cited her efforts to raise awareness of the condition.

So impressed was Feinberg with McCarthy's efforts, he said, that his son used her as a subject for a school paper on heroes. In researching his essay, the youngster was instructed by his father "to Google" McCarthy, whose resumé includes being a Playboy Playmate.

This got a laugh from the audience and a rise out of Carrey – who leapt to his feet, shot an Ace Ventura glower around the room and then fixed his eyes on Feinberg.

In a more serious moment, Carrey – whom McCarthy has described as a remarkably helping hand with her son – was called an "autism healer" by Feinberg. Carrey is also one of the sponsors of the treatment center.

Later, McCarthy spoke at the podium about Carrey's daughter, Jane, 20. "For so long I have had psychics say they see me with a daughter," she said. "I now know what they are talking about."

Jane Carrey then took to the stage with her eponymous new Jane Carrey Band, displaying a soulful voice that caused her father to beam with pride.